Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman Snubbed in Africa’s Top 5 Richest Sports Stars List
- NBA star with Cameroonian roots Joel Embiid is Africa’s highest-paid athlete with $58 million in earnings
- Egyptian football king and Liverpool hero Mohamed Salah remains the top-earning African footballer
- Saudi Pro League stars Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane dominate the top five with Nigerians missing
African athletes continue to dominate the global sports scene, but when it comes to earnings, the rankings tell an interesting story.
Despite their impressive performances, Nigerian football stars Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman did not make the list of Africa’s highest-paid sports personalities in 2024.
Source: Getty Images
Instead, the top earners feature a mix of football and basketball players, with the Saudi Pro League and the NBA playing key roles in shaping the financial landscape.
Here, Legit.ng as spotted on Sportico, has listed the top five highest-earning African sports stars in the world.
Africa’s top 5 highest-paid sports stars in 2024
1. Joel Embiid (Cameroon) – NBA’s African King
- Global Ranking: 31st
- Earnings: $58 million
- Salary: $48.4 million
- Endorsements: $10 million
Philadelphia 76ers’ star Joel Embiid leads the list as Africa’s highest-paid athlete.
The Cameroonian center’s massive NBA contract and lucrative endorsements put him ahead of his peers.
Embiid’s marketability and dominance on the court continue to make the Cameroonian-born star one of basketball’s top global figures.
2. Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – Africa’s Football Icon
- Global Ranking: 38th
- Earnings: $55 million
- Salary: $35 million
- Endorsements: $20 million
Liverpool’s Egyptian superstar, Mohamed Salah, remains the highest-paid African footballer.
The 31-year-old forward’s substantial wages at Liverpool, coupled with major sponsorship deals from global brands, keeps him among the elite earners.
Despite his absence from the Saudi Pro League’s big-money contracts, Salah’s endorsements continue to elevate his total earnings.
3. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria) – The Saudi Pro League’s Big Earner
- Global Ranking: 44th
- Earnings: $52 million
- Salary: $50 million
- Endorsements: $2 million
Former Manchester City and Leicester City star Riyad Mahrez became one of the highest-paid African athletes after securing a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League.
Although his endorsement deals are relatively lower, his enormous salary ensures his place on this exclusive list.
4. Sadio Mane (Senegal) – Senegal’s Golden Boy
- Global Ranking: 67th
- Earnings: $45.5 million
- Salary: $43 million
- Endorsements: $2.5 million
Another former Premier League star, Sadio Mane, follows Mahrez as one of Africa’s top earners.
After his move to the Saudi Pro League, the Senegalese forward saw a significant rise in his earnings, solidifying his place among the continent’s financial elite.
5. Pascal Siakam (Cameroon) – Basketball’s Hidden Gem
- Global Ranking: 81st
- Earnings: $42 million
- Salary: $40 million
- Endorsements: $2 million
Indiana Pacers’ forward Pascal Siakam rounds out the top five, making him the second Cameroonian basketball player on the list.
While he may not be as globally recognised as some football stars, his impressive NBA salary ensures he remains one of Africa’s highest-paid athletes.
The absence of Osimhen and Lookman
Despite their outstanding performances in European football, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman failed to make the top five.
Source: Getty Images
The Super Eagles stars' earnings, while significant, do not yet match the astronomical salaries offered in the NBA or Saudi Pro League.
As both Nigerian players continue to establish themselves, a move to a high-paying league or major endorsement deals could see them break into future rankings.
Atalanta youngster praises Lookman
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Lookman has received praise from an Atalanta youngster amid the ongoing public spat with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini that began two weeks ago.
Lookman and Gasperini have made their beef public since Atalanta were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League knockout playoffs after a 5-2 aggregate loss to Club Brugge.
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Source: Legit.ng
